In a time where people around the globe are connected through the internet and social media, fandoms have played a part in connecting people even further.
Whether it be uniting over a love for a certain show, a basketball player, or Taylor Swift, fandoms have become a place for people with shared interests to express their opinions and love for a certain topic. However, there is an overlooked nature of fandoms — mob mentality.
The pressure to conform can drive fans to engage in harassment and to unquestioningly follow their idols. The primary issue with fandoms is their lack of empathy. People will inevitably have differing opinions on certain matters, as It is human nature.
However, in some of these fandoms, having a different opinion than the masses will cause you to be harassed and bullied relentlessly. For example, after publishing an article criticizing Taylor Swift’s “Eras” Tour, journalist Chris Panello was doxxed, which is when someone publicly releases another’s personal information, and sent death threats, according to Insider.com.
Instead of simply disagreeing like most people would, the fans abused their anonymity online, and tried to ruin Panello’s career, along with that of his family.
Another issue that comes with toxic fandoms is the fact that people begin to base their personalities and traits on those they admire. The fandom almost becomes homogeneous, with everyone trying to be like their idol, creating an environment where being different from the rest causes you to be rejected.
While some may say that copying the mannerisms of another and admiring a celebrity is completely harmless, these actions represent a larger issue.
A fandom is supposed to be a community for those who like a certain topic, not a place where you become someone you are not. Not to mention, the mental health of those who go down this path always have the feeling of not being enough, as they can never truly turn into those who they admire. An example of fans taking their admiration too far is in the case of singers John Lennon and Selena, who were killed by their own supporters, highlighting the spiraling mental health of an obsessive fan.
Often, when a celebrity is under scrutiny, their fandom supports them no matter what.
When a celebrity is clearly in the wrong, the fandom is usually unwilling to accept and process it. A prime example of this is Kanye West’s anti-Semitic remarks, which ultimately got him banned from most social media platforms. Despite these obviously negative comments, his fans were quick to defend his statements, saying that they were not offensive. Being unable to think for yourself is one thing, but blindly following someone you have never met doesn’t make sense.
If this were the case in our daily lives, we would blindly accept things people tell us. Why should we treat celebrities differently?
Fandoms should be a place for people to connect over a shared passion. In its current state however, they are places that foster hate and negativity. By promoting a culture of respect and acknowledgment, we would not only have more people in these fandoms and thus connect more people, but also create a stronger and more unified community.